What is the controversy surrounding Kneecap’s 2023 concert? Gig footage to be assessed by police over alleged ‘kill MP’ call

In November 2023, the Irish hip-hop band Kneecap performed a concert in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. Now, footage has emerged from the concert, allegedly showing the band shouting to the crowd to kill Tory (The Conservative Party in the U.K.) Members of Parliament (MP), among other similar statements.

According to a BBC report on April 27, 2025, a statement released by the British Metropolitan Police said that the band is in investigation regarding the particular video, and another one where the band is allegedly seen praising the Palestinian organisation Hamas and the Lebanese organisation Hezbollah, both banned in the U.K. The police statement said:

"We were made aware of a video on 22 April, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required. We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023."

The footage has also brought out a response from the U.K. government, with a statement condemning it and the alleged action of the band:

"We unequivocally condemn threatening remarks made towards any individual. Political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society. We recognise the chilling effect that harassment and intimidation of elected representatives can have on our democracy..."

Kneecap has not responded to the new allegations, though they responded to a previous similar investigation by claiming that it was a smear campaign against the band.

Kneecap's US visa in question over political views

Kneecap were set to perform across the U.S. in a soldout tour in the upcoming months. However, as per an exclusive report by The Hollywood Reporter on April 24, 2025, the band was dropped by the booking agency that had sponspored their work visas, the Independent Artist Group.

This was just after they performed at the Coachella festival 2025, where they brought out their stand on Palestine and Israel on both weekends.

While the tour is still set to continue, with the band reportedly in the process of getting new sponser and visa, many have been called for their visa to be revoked as well, with American TV personality Sharon Osbourne, who is the wife of Ozzy Osbourne, leading the charge. As part of a long statement on X, she wrote:

"Kneecap, an Irish rap group, took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements. Their actions included projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech, and this band openly support terrorist organizations... I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa."

Kneecap responded to the backlash with group member Mo Chara stating to Rolling Stone in an email exchange, here quoted via the publication's article on the matter on April 23, 2025:

"We believe we have an obligation to use our platform when we can to raise the issue of Palestine, and it was important for us to speak out at Coachella as the USA is the main funder and supplier of weapons to Israel as they commit genocide in Gaza."

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If Kneecap is issued new work visas, the band will embark on their North America tour in October 2025, performing from October 3, 2025 to October 27, 2025, two shows in Canada and the rest in the US.

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